Are Cyclists Turning Into Road Warriors?
It has become all the rage to hit the road on only two wheels these days. The rate of bicycle commuting alone, for example, has jumped by more than 60 percent of the last decade. Denver alone has sped past the national average with 130 percent growth in the number of bicycle commuters. The trend appears to be one of those universal ones as well, with seniors making up the fastest-growing segment of market growth for bicycle retailers.
Personal Injuries Hurt More
With so many more people filling the bike lanes, perhaps it should not come as a big surprise that more people are suffering personal injuries on those bikes — and they are paying more than ever to be able to get back on them. Injury Prevention published a study late last week that reveals medical costs for nonfatal adult crashes skyrocketed nearly $790 million annually from 1997-2013 to hit a total of $24.4 billion in 2013. These costs include things such as emergency transport, rehab, nursing home stays, not to mention lost wages or the price a rider pays for a diminished quality of life.
The researchers pointed to at least two factors driving these runaway medical costs. The first is the migration of bicycle riders to the city and the second is more distracted drivers on the roadways.
More bicycle accidents have resulted in an increase in hospital admissions over the last 15 years. If you are in the hospital because you have been hit while riding your bicycle, do not hesitate to call Burg Simpson’s Colorado personal injury attorneys today.
For more information on Bicycle Accidents contact your Bicycle lawyers immediately.
What About Motorcycles?
While motorcycle growth has been slightly more tempered, the roads have seen explosive growth in at least one area – there are more woman riding motorcycles than ever before. There are more people dying on them, as well. While the national trend had been ticking down the last few years, it jumped back up in 2015, which saw nearly 5,000 riders die in motorcycle accidents. Motorcycles are involved in 14 percent of traffic accidents. If you are on a bike, you are 35 times more likely to die in a crash than anyone else on the road.
In Colorado, it is even worse. The state has seen a disturbing rise in motorcycle fatalities over the last three years, with a record number of deaths last year.
If you have been involved in an accident in Colorado while riding a bicycle or motorcycle – or lost a loved one in one of these tragic incidents – reach out to the experienced Colorado personal injury lawyers at Burg Simpson by calling 303-792-5595 or fill out a Free Case Evaluation form online right now.
